Archive for category: Newsletters

————————————————————
This week the first white plum blossoms appeared on trees in orchards up and down this remote Himalayan valley. My landlord is a farmer and has been planting under his trees potatoes, garlic, herbs and cilantro. He has put in rose and Night Queen bushes, and from my porch I’m looking down over pear, apricot, almond and apple trees. The song birds have arrived, with all the glorious colours of spring. I hope you’re finding some springtime bliss too! Let me know if you’d like to take private meditation Skype classes (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/product-category/skype/) with me directly from the Himalayas by Skype! High technology has reached even here!
Padma Chants

————————————————————
I’ve finally finished my CD of Sanskrit (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/product-category/audio/) and Himalayan songs!
With my friends here in the Himalayas, I recorded eleven sacred chants that are among my favourites to sing. Each of these are perfect for meditation, or just creating a nice mood in your home. Some are sutras from the Gita or Patanjali for those of you who are studious meditation students! These songs were all made with lots of love and I hope you love them.

**
————————————————————

** Lotus Leaf
Padma Meditation Newsletter
————————————————————
March, 2013, #4
Life has been full and abundant as always. I’m living in the mountains in the western Himalayas now, in a cute apartment overlooking a pomegranate orchard, by the banks of the Vyaas River. The terraced hillsides rise straight up all around. After 13 years of full-time teaching meditation and yoga in Canada, and producing 148 TV episodes!, I’m taking time here to do my own practice and be with my guru. I’ll be back in Canada in the autumn though, offering workshops from September to November in Vancouver, Toronto and other locations. I hope that if you want to study meditation (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/product-category/workshops/) with me this year, you’ll schedule for that time. I look forward to more wonderful times together!

** Sanskrit Word of the Month
————————————————————
Aatma Gyaan
Self Knowledge. Gyaan is the Sanskrit word for knowledge. Knowledge of all the changing forms and names of the world is knowledge only of what is transient. Knowledge of what is ever-present and ever-real is known as Aatma Gyaan, knowledge of true being. This is the ‘being’ of everything that exists, and of everyone who exists. Aatma Gyaan is considered the aim of meditation practice, to put your mind’s attention on the actual being of yourself, and know this is the true being of every person.

** Meditation of the Month
————————————————————
Attend self-existence.
In meditation, observe the space that you see when you close your eyes. Notice that this space has no name or definite form. Come to realize that this space is the presence of your own being, just yourself existing. This essence of yourself has no name or shape or definition. You simply and purely are. Stay watching and knowing this pure space of being for 7 minutes, then open your eyes and remember that the space is still existing even if you are not paying attention to it. Be at peace knowing that your true essence is pure and blissful always!

** Q & A
————————————————————
Q: Dear Padma, when I meditate, I rest in a clear place of consciousness. Why do I then forget this consciousness for the duration of each day until returning to it again?
A: Dear You, your consciousness rests in your own true nature during your meditation. After that, you go into the waking state, where by definition, you forget your true nature of bliss. You believe that your waking state mind is all of reality, and this is the forgetting.
Remind yourself that even while your waking state mind is functioning through the day, still the ever-present bliss of your being has not died or gone anywhere else. Your bliss still remains. The waking state mind merely covers it over.
So know that you are always pure and free and blissful, whether your mind can remember or not.

————————————————————
Don’t you just love the still darkness of wintertime? It’s a perfect time to lengthen your daily meditation time to 45 minutes or an hour. At my mountain retreat in BC, the snow is just arriving and it’s dark at 5pm. Yesterday, I caught a mouse and felt bad having to put him out in the cold, since it’s so cosy inside. After the activities of autumn, and before the rush of holidays, it’s lovely to take a pause and relish a few moments or hours of not doing much. Take time to remember to appreciate the simple purity of being alive. Have a magical day.
If you have questions about your meditation practice, email me at padma@padmayoga.ca (mailto:padma@padmayoga.ca?subject=Meditation%20question%20to%20Padma)

www.padmayoga.ca

** Workshops
————————————————————
Plan ahead! In the autumn of 2013, I’ll be offering my Meditation workshops and the whole Padma Meditation Teacher Training Program. Join any of these truly inspiring workshops, or complete the whole program and become one of Canada’s first certified meditation teachers. Excellent continuing education for all yoga teachers. Everyone welcome to expand your happiness and insight. See padmayoga.ca (http://www.padmayoga.ca/meditation-training-and-workshops/teacher-training-workshops/)

** Lotus Leaf #3
Padma Meditation & Yoga Newsletter
November, 2012
————————————————————
Let’s take time to refocus on what quality of daily life you want. Meditation philosophy discusses the power of indrawing your attention and connecting with your truth. First, meditate to let go of the clutter of your current thinking and allow a free space of mind to become present. Then, listen deeply to your heart and let the purity of being reveal itself.

** Snow in the Himalayas
————————————————————
Most of us think of India as hot and dry, but winters in the mountains can be freezing. So many people in the world are hunkering down for the winter, braced against winds and snow. If you’re warm and dry this winter, take a moment to appreciate your great fortune and abundance, remembering that there are people who are cold this winter, even in your own home town. Next time you see someone living out in the cold, think of how good they would feel to receive some attention and even a little warm human compassion.

** Private classes
————————————————————
In the spring, take private meditation classes directly from the Himalayas! Yes, it’s a 12-hour time difference, but we sort that out! Email (mailto:padma@padmayoga.ca?subject=Private%20meditation%20class) to schedule a time and I’ll talk with you soon by Skype! padmayoga.ca (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/product-category/workshops/)

** Find your meditation space
————————————————————
When you can, find time and a place to sit in meditation each day. Remember the value we can bring to our own lives and to the lives of others when we are at peace and strong. Don’t underestimate the value and power of sitting in silence for some time each day, and finding the pure freedom within yourself that is never gone. Then bring this power to everything else you do. The more you connect with the space of life in yourself, the more you’ll know this is the same life in every person you encounter.

** Meditation Shawls
————————————————————
This teal blue colour is one of my favourites of our meditation shawls. I had produced and brought back a variety of beautiful pure cashmere shawls from a local weaver in the Himalayas. The fine pashmina is soft, warm and strong. There’s nothing better than wrapping up in one of these to meditate in this winter. Other colours are Cranberry Red, Midnight Blue, Sky Blue, Black, Purple and Cream. Treat yourself, or give one to a loved one. You’ll love meditating with a fine Himalyan meditation shawl. We also have smaller sized stoles that are now on sale! Available exclusively here at the Padma Store (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/product-category/clothing/shawls/) .

** Sanskrit Word of the Month
————————————————————
Aksha, Indestructable
This Sanskrit word refers to the real essence of being that cannot be destroyed. No matter what forms manifest and then change and disintegrate, there is an underlying base of exitence that is contantly present. This permanent, un-changeable source of being is your own source as well.
When you connect to this source in your own being, you realize that this is actually the entirety of your real being. All the transient aspects of life are in constant change, but Aksha, the indestructible, is ever-present, un-changing, and forever, free.
With all the business of living, it’s so important to take time to re-connect to this base and regain stability and ease in yourself.

** Practice of the Month
————————————————————
It’s amazing how easily you can connect to the indestructible source of your being. Simply sit down, wrap yourself in a warm shawl, and close your eyes. After the whirl of thoughts passes by for some time, you’ll naturally settle into a space of stillness and peace. Just wait for it and it will show up! It’s bound to happen since this peace is at the base of your being. If you’re frustrated that all you experience in meditation is your thinking mind, then spend a few minutes listening to the inhale and exhale of your own breath and let your mind connect to this for a few minutes. Know that this easy space of being is inside yourself.

————————————————————
Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone! It’s a dazzling blue and crispy cold holiday weekend here in Vancouver. I’m just back from two months in India, where the steamy monsoon rains poured down, soaking the hillsides and flooding the Vyaas river with dark HImalayan soils. Now back in BC, I’m looking forward to my upcoming meditation and yoga retreats here. These are always so wonderful, spending time with friends, doing yoga together, have amazing discussions, and meditating. I hope you can join us!

** Padma Meditation & Yoga Newsletter
————————————————————
October 6, 2012
You might notice that the Lotus Leaf is now from Padma Meditation & Yoga rather than Padma Yoga. This is because I’m going forward specializing in teaching meditation and meditation philosophy. My workshops of course will continue to include yoga, breath work and so many other skills, all supporting our core practice: daily silent meditation. I hope everything I’m offering helps you to develop and maintain a regular, delightful habit of sitting, closing your eyes and discovering the essential bliss of your being!

** Shuswap Lake Retreat
————————————————————
October 13 & 14, 2012
Come to the beautiful Shuswap Lake region of central BC next weekend and experience a magical meditation and yoga retreat. Crystal clear air and silent hills set the scene for our third annual retreat at Eagle Bay. October 13 & 14. Immerse yourself in the “Elemental Foundations” Workshop, a full weekend of yoga, meditation, chanting, the study of eastern philosophy and Sanskrit. Autumn is a glorious time in the Shuswap area. Don’t miss this exquisite weekend retreat. This workshop also gives you credit for Workshop #1 of the 108-hour Meditation Teacher Training program that continues in 2013.
Email Wendy (mailto:Padma%20Workshops%20%3Cpadmaworkshops@gmail.com%3E?subject=Shuswap%202012) to register and for accommodations, or call 604.850.4799
See padmayoga.ca (http://www.padmayoga.ca/meditation-training-and-workshops/calendar-tuition/) for more information.

** Freedom! An exploration of the Bhagavad Gita
————————————————————
December 2, 2012
Another Himalayan photo! This workshop will actually be held in Kamloops, BC. Come join a day of meditation and study with Padma exploring how to find freedom and deep peace in your every-day life. We’ll chant and study verses from the sacred text of Yoga, the Bhagavad Gita. You’ll leave fully refreshed, deeply revitalized and profoundly inspired.
Let’s Move Studio
925 McGill Place, Kamloops, BC
Sunday, December 2
Email padma@padmayoga.ca (mailto:padma@padmayoga.ca?subject=Kamloops%20workshop) for Information.
Register here (http://www.padmayoga.ca/shop/freedom-an-exploration-of-the-bhagavad-gita-workshop-in-kamloops/)

** Sanskrit Word of the Month

————————————————————
Kalyaan
This delicate word describes the pure state of your own being which is beautiful and excellent. Kalyaan means complete well-being, the sense of generous and illustrious fortune. This abundance doesn’t come from external accumulations, but from a deep and real knowledge of the infinite value of yourself. You realize and appreciate how fortunate you are to have and know life. You are happy and prosperous, being connected to the source of all life. Being Kalyaan, you are not in need, but rest in the wholeness and oneness of existence.

** Meditation of the Month
————————————————————
Before you begin any new project, or even before meeting up with anyone or heading out of your home, take a moment to stop and close your eyes. Exhale and gaze into the dark space you see. Remember the sense of complete well-being that you connected to in your longer meditations. Take these short, mini meditations throughout your day to re-connect to the infinite and rich quality of space within yourself. Move from this space and you’ll see the quality of your life is joyful and abundant.

the Lotus Leaf
The Padma Yoga & Meditation Newsletter is now called the Lotus Leaf. I hope you enjoy these. Forward them to a friend, join us on Facebook, You Tube, or Twitter. The website padmayoga.ca has all events information. Email us too!

Summertime 2012
I’m wishing you a beautiful and interesting summer. This spring we finished the first-ever full Padma Meditation Teacher Training program. It was fantastic to go through the whole program of six workshops with such an excellent group of students. The first graduates are now certified Padma Meditation teachers. Congratulations again! Summertime now offers us the chance to enjoy the fruits of all that study and meditation: Living with joy, delight and brilliant energy. The best result of daily meditation is that we get to live life more thoroughly, with clear and powerful happiness.
Whatever you are doing this summer, I hope it’s bringing you the very best in life. May your actions result in peace, love and joy. Padma

Join us this summer for a full weekend of meditation and yoga by the beach. Our annual west-coast retreat inRoberts Creek, BC, at the ‘Yoga By The Sea’ Studio will be this July 27, 28, 29.

This summer the topic is “Conscious Living” with the focus on exploring how we can be more aware each and every day in our lives and in our society. What is conscious living? Un-conscious living?
The afternoons will be free to enjoy the sunshine at the beach and have a seaside holiday.Contact Marney for registration and accommodations, or call 604.740.2382
See padmayoga.ca for more information.

Immerse yourself in the “Elemental Foundations.” This is a full weekend of yoga, meditation, chanting, the study of eastern philosophy and Sanskrit. Autumn is a glorious time in the Shuswap area. Don’t miss this exquisite weekend retreat. This workshop also gives you credit for Workshop #1 of the 108-hour Meditation Teacher Training program that continues in 2013.

The entire Padma Meditation Training is being offered in 2013. Take any of the weekend workshops or join the entire program and become certified to teach Level 1 Padma Meditation. This unique and original program offers everything from basic meditation lessons through to becoming able to share your practice with others. Classes start inToronto in October2012, and in Vancouver in January, 2013. Sign up for Toronto workshops now! Both full prorgams conclude with a retreat in BC in June, 2013.
Learn to meditate, advance your education, or embrace meditation as your passion. Join one day, a weekend, or the whole 108-hour program.
All 108 hours are in the classroom with Padma. See padmayoga.ca for more information on this life-changing series of workshops.

Summertime 2012

I’m wishing you a beautiful and interesting summer. This spring we finished the first-ever full Padma Meditation Teacher Training program. It was fantastic to go through the whole program of six workshops with such an excellent group of students. The first graduates are now certified Padma Meditation teachers. Congratulations again! Summertime now offers us the chance to enjoy the fruits of all that study and meditation: Living with joy, delight and brilliant energy. The best result of daily meditation is that we get to live life more thoroughly, with clear and powerful happiness. Whatever you are doing this summer, I hope it’s bringing you the very best in life. May your actions result in peace, love and joy. Padma